Lewistown
Lewistown is a town in Montana. It is the geographic center of the state. The population was 5,901 at the 2010 census.
Understand
[edit]
Called "The Heart of Montana", Lewistown has many of the activities that make Montana a tourist destination. There is big game and bird hunting to fishing, camping, biking, hiking and skiing. It is surrounded by five mountain ranges: the Snowies, the Judiths, the Moccasins, the Belts, and the Highwoods.
Be sure to pronounce the town correctly - Lewis town not Lewis ton - or the locals will let you know your mistake.
Get in
[edit]Lewistown is on US Highway 87 and Montana Highway 200 from the east and west. From the north it is on US Highway 191.
Get around
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As with most of Montana, a vehicle is the best way to get around. The historic downtown area is walkable, and walking tour maps can be picked up at the Chamber.
When adventuring outside of town, be sure you plan for fuel and download maps. Wide open country is great to explore, just don't expect to always have service and amenities.
See
[edit]- Central Montana Museum, ☏ +1 406 538-3642. 10AM-4PM summer; winter call for info. guns, saddles, fossils No fee, donations accepted.
- Lewistown Art Center (corner of Main and 4th Ave), ☏ +1 406 535-8278, lac@midrivers.com. Tu-F from 11:30AM-5:30PM; Sa 10AM-4PM. free.
Do
[edit]- Big Spring Creek runs through the middle of town. You'll find access points for fishing or floating around the area.
- 1 Big Springs Trout Hatchery, 2035 Fish Hatchery Rd, ☏ +1 406 538-5588. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Visit the hatchery to see rainbow and brown trout plus kokanee and chinook salmon. Learn about Montana's fish management practices. Free.
- Charlie Russell Chew Choo (train boards about 40 minutes outside of Lewistown), ☏ +1 406 535-5436, lewchamb@midrivers.com. Special weekends, see website. Dinner and a show on a historic train $90 adult, $50 child.
- City trails are woven through town. There are 24 total miles, mostly paved, that you can walk or bike.
- 2 Limekiln Trail (from in town, take Marcella Ave to Rifle Range Road, which is mostly unpaved. Go 3.3 miles to Lime Kiln Road. The trailhead is in about 2 miles), ☏ +1 406 538-1900, BLM_MT_Central_DO@blm.gov. Recreation area in the Judith Mountains. Hike to overlook is about 4.5 miles out and back. 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
Events
[edit]- Chokecherry Festival, Main St., ☏ +1 406 535-5436, lewchamb@midrivers.com. first Saturday after Labor Day. Pancake breakfast, culinary tasting, pit spitting contest, vendors
- Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering, ☏ +1 406 538-4575, kbkuhlmann@midrivers.com. mid-Aug. cowboy poetry and western music show. $10 general admission, $35-60 for special events.
- Montana Winter Fair, ☏ +1 406 538-2200, info@montanawinterfair.com. Late Jan. Traditional agriculture based fair. Open Fiddle Contest, Quilt Show & Workshops, Fiber Arts Show & Workshops and Re-creations Show and Sale, Farm & Ranch Trade Show, Skijoring, Ranch Sorting Clinic & Competition, Arm Wrestling, Chess Tournament & Polar Plunge. For the kids, there's the Stick Horse Rodeo, Old McDonald’s Barn, Meet & Greet with the Ice Queen and Youth Beef Show.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Dash Inn, 207 Northeast Main St., ☏ +1 406 535-3892. fast food
Drink
[edit]- 1 Big Spring Brewing, 220 E Main St, ☏ +1 406 535-2337, info@bigspringbrewingmt.com. 11:30AM-9PM daily. Microbrewery with 5 main stays and variety in their rotators. Uses local ingredients, even fresh roasted coffee beans and local honey.
Sleep
[edit]- Half Moon Ranch (23 miles SE of Lewistown), ☏ +1 406 575-4055, halfmoonretreat@hotmail.com.
- Historic Calvert Hotel, 216 7th Ave S, ☏ +1 406 535-5411.
- Yogo Inn, 211 East Main, ☏ +1 406 535-8721, yogo@yogoinn.com. Built as a train depot in 1913, it has full service restaurant and bar.
Connect
[edit]- Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce, 408 NE Main, ☏ +1 406 535-5436, lewchamb@midrivers.com. M-F 8AM-5PM.
Go next
[edit]- Crystal Lake (31 miles south, about an hour due to mountain travel) is a gorgeous turquoise lake with a campsite and mountain bike trails. For those fit enough, take a hike to the Ice Caves to see the columns of ice and skating rink floor.
| Routes through Lewistown |
| Havre ← Great Falls ← | W  S |
→ Roundup → Billings |
| Swift Current ← Malta ← | N  S |
→ Harlowton → Big Timber |
| Missoula ← Great Falls ← | W  E |
→ Jct  S → Sidney → Watford City |